SANDPOINT — During its bimonthly meeting with Bonner County commissioners, the county’s ambulance service district approved its fourth claims batch and a letter of intent from Columbia Bank.  

In a 40-minute meeting, commissioners unanimously approved the district’s fiscal year 2026 claims batch No. 4, totaling $22,414.60. Expenses on the claims batch were relatively low, with fuel and gas attributing to $2,312 of the batch and computer and software services costing $7,032. Other items marked on the batch were related to medical supplies, maintenance and repairs and utilities.  

Commissioners additionally approved a letter of intent from Columbia Bank, outlining the ambulance district’s intention of securing a revenue anticipation note of $500,000.  

The RAN will be used to fill any potential cash flow gaps between October and January, a time when the district does not receive county tax funds. Chief Jeff Lindsey said the district does not expect a gap in cash flow, but that the RAN serves as a safety net until the end of January. 

Before the “gap period” last year, ambulance district officials realized the district did not have funds in its account to continue operations. While no clear answer was determined about what led to the deficit, a contributing factor to the loss had come to light — the district had been run like a county department, not its own taxing district. In its efforts to rebuild the district to be self-sustaining, the ambulance district utilized a $2 million tax anticipation note. Only $500,000 of the funds were used and paid back.  

This year, Lindsey said the district’s beginning cash position in December is estimated at $1.2 million, with an estimated ending cash position of $580,000 in January. 

“We end up (after January) somewhere around half a million in the bank, which is a breath of fresh air over last year,” Lindsey said.  

During public comment, Lindsey also recognized two employee promotions of Charles “Chip” Albright and William “Barry” Blackmore to the rank of lieutenant. Both have served the district as paramedics for several years, working toward promotion, Lindsey said.